Staff Reporter
MUTARE – The Ministry of Lands and Rural Development (MoLRD) will on Friday, July 3, spearhead a province-wide clean-up campaign in Manicaland as part of Government’s ongoing efforts to promote environmental sustainability, improve public health and strengthen sustainable rural development.
The campaign, running under the theme “Clean Up – Simply We Do in Manicaland,” will begin at 8am, bringing together Ministry officials, local authorities, traditional leaders, stakeholders and residents in a collective effort to keep communities clean and create healthier environments that support agricultural production, rural livelihoods and economic development.
A stakeholders’ meeting will be held at the District Development Coordinator (DDC) Complex in Chimanimani, popularly known as “The Village.” The programme will also feature a field visit to Hangani Area under Chief Chikukwa in Chimanimani District, 39km from Chimanimani town, where Ministry officials will engage communities on environmental management, sustainable land use, rural infrastructure development and programmes aimed at improving livelihoods.
To ensure broader coverage, the Ministry has deployed two teams, with Team A operating in Mutare while Team B will conduct activities in Chimanimani Town.
The campaign is being held under the message “A Clean Manicaland Starts With You,” highlighting the importance of individual and collective responsibility in protecting the environment and safeguarding Zimbabwe’s land resources.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands and Rural Development, Dr. Prosper Bvumiranayi Matondi, said the clean-up campaign reflects Government’s commitment to environmental stewardship, responsible land management and sustainable rural development.
“A clean environment is the foundation of healthy communities, increased productivity and sustainable rural development. We are calling upon every citizen, institution and stakeholder in Manicaland to actively participate in this national clean-up exercise because keeping our surroundings clean is a shared responsibility,” said Dr. Matondi.
He said protecting the environment is essential for preserving productive land, improving food security and ensuring rural communities continue to benefit from sustainable use of natural resources.
“The campaign is not just about cleaning our streets and public spaces. It is about fostering a culture of environmental consciousness and ensuring that future generations inherit a clean, safe and productive Zimbabwe. Together, we can build communities that reflect pride, responsibility and care for our natural resources,” he said.
Dr. Matondi added that the Ministry remains committed to promoting sustainable land administration and rural transformation through programmes that enhance land productivity, environmental conservation and improved service delivery to farming and rural communities.
The Ministry has urged residents across Manicaland to bring cleaning equipment and actively participate in the exercise, saying collective action is essential in building cleaner, healthier and more resilient communities.
The campaign forms part of Zimbabwe’s ongoing National Clean-Up Programme, which supports the country’s environmental protection agenda while complementing the Ministry’s broader mandate of ensuring sustainable land management and inclusive rural development under the mantra “Our Land, Our Prosperity.”
